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Healing Chicken Soup

This comforting chicken soup is made by slowly simmering bone-in chicken thighs with fragrant vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. The process builds a rich, gelatinous broth with tender chicken, finished with a splash of lemon and fresh herbs for brightness. The final dish is a warm, clear, nourishing bowl with falling-apart chicken and a hearty, flavorful broth.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs preferably with skin
  • 2 carrots peeled and chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 lemon lemon for juice
  • to taste salt start with 1 tsp
  • to taste pepper black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 handful fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • 1 sprig thyme fresh

Equipment

  • Heavy-bottomed pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ladle
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Start by heating a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until it feels warm to the touch.
  2. Add the olive oil and let it shimmer, then toss in the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes, with gentle stirring.
  3. Push the vegetables to the side of the pot, then add the chicken thighs, skin side down. Brown them for about 5 minutes on each side until golden and fragrant.
  4. Pour in enough water or broth to fully cover the chicken and vegetables, approximately 6 cups. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  5. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during the first 10 minutes of simmering to keep the broth clear.
  6. Add a sprig of thyme, season with salt and pepper, then cover and let simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes, until the chicken is tender and falling apart.
  7. Remove the chicken thighs from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Discard the thyme sprig.
  8. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding any skin or bones, and return it to the broth.
  9. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the soup, stirring gently to brighten the flavors.
  10. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon as desired.
  11. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot, showcasing the tender chicken and clear, flavorful broth.

Notes

For extra richness, you can let the broth simmer longer to deepen the flavor or add a dash of olive oil at the end for sheen. Use bone-in chicken thighs for the best flavor and collagen-rich broth.